Connecticut State Representative Debralee Hovey (R-112th District) isn't the only one that introduced a bill in the January session apparently. Connecticut State Senator Toni Nathaniel Harp (D-10th District) introduced S.B. No. 328, "An Act Concerning Minors and Violent Point-and-shoot video Games." The proposed bill aims to "prevent minors from using violent point-and-shoot video games in public arcades."

The bill would amend state statues to prohibit arcade machine operators and public arcade owners from allowing anyone under the age of 18 to use games that involve "point-and shoot" gameplay. The bill does not address what ratings these games might have (would it prohibit the use of games by minor even if they are rated "Teen" by the ESRB) or what the penalty for operators or businesses that violate the statue.

The full text of the bill can be found below:

AN ACT CONCERNING MINORS AND VIOLENT POINT-AND-SHOOT VIDEO GAMES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

That the general statutes be amended to prohibit a for profit business from allowing a person under the age of eighteen from operating a violent point-and-shoot video simulator on the premises of such business.

Statement of Purpose:

To prevent minors from using violent point-and-shoot video games in public arcades.

Sen. Harp represents New Haven. You can find contact information for her office here.

Comments

I don't get blaming the parents for it.
I think most of them know what is in the games but also know if their kids can handle it.

My sister lets her 10 year old son play halo and COD, Hes been playing them since he was 7.
Is she a bad parent, I don't think so.
She had a talk with him before they first started buying them to make sure he knows there's a difference between a game and real life.
Hes also allowed to play them online but not with a headset, They tried it out last Xmas but felt he was getting in to trouble with it so they took it away till hes older.
Most parents i know are just like them.

The rating system is a guideline for parents but its not meant to be set in stone.
A parent is still doing their job even when they buy games like halo, COD or even GTA.
Keep in mind the rating M is not adults only but M for mature, which can be irrelevant when it comes to age.
Shit i know 14 years that are way more mature and responsible then some 40 year olds.
Pisses me off sometimes that they get treated like kids but the other ones get treated like adults.

We need to get off the age thing and realize everyone is different and only a horrible parent would try a one size fits all system of parting, Or even thinks it should be applied to all situations when it comes to kids.

What exactly is a point and shoot game? Does perspective matter? What constitues a pointing mechanism. Does it have to be a gun to be shooting? Is Mario pointing and shooting in Super Mario Bros.? Is Samus in Metroid? (ok, those are console platformers, but you get my point). What about Typing of the Dead? Does just putting words in a keyboard count?

Sounds good Senator. As long as you tell me just how you plan to enforce this, short of either
A) Having arcade establishments taking picture IDs
B) Removing offending games from arcade estblishment, keeping both minor and adult alike from playing it. They have already done this at a rest stop You may as well ban steak because babies can't chew them.

- W

Consumer responsibility is just as important as Corporate responsibility. So, be responsible consumers.

Just like that other idiot Homely, Harp ignores the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. EMA, not to mention that a similar law in Indianapolis was ruled unconstitutional on First Amendment grounds in 2001(the video game industry's 1st victory over the censorcrats).